Ecuador Tours and Cruises

Cruise the northern Galapagos islands tour - 5 Days

Perfect way to see the Galapagos islands

Get ready to embark on a ship built exclusively for Galapagos Island cruising! There are 43 air-conditioned cabins on this expedition ship that all meet the same high standards for comfort and style. But you won't be spending much time on the M/V Santa Cruz II during this superb five day cruise around the northern islands because there is so much to see outside. You will be joined by a team of naturalists who will tell you all about the wildlife you will see and there are lectures, presentations, on-deck talks before shore excursions and evening recaps of your adventures. By day, climb aboard a zodiac-style boat to explore the islands on hikes and walks and go snorkeling and at night enjoy some of the best stargazing anywhere. Use the platform on the Sun Deck to look for dolphins and whales, relax in the Jacuzzi and dine on Ecuadorian dishes and international cuisine.

Tour Highlights

Baltra ·

Santa Cruz Island ·

Buccaneer Cove (James Island) ·

Rábida Island (Jervis) ·

Bartolome Island ·

Prince Philip's Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island) ·

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (Chatham Island) ·

Full Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Baltra & Santa Cruz Island

We land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz, where we receive a welcome introductory briefing and lunch.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island)
This beautiful visitor site is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with several brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea. These lagoons are the feeding grounds of various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with snorkelling gear and techniques. Welcome cocktail, expedition plan for Tuesday and dinner

Day 2: Buccaneer Cove - Santiago Island

After breakfast, enjoy a coastal exploration along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove and learn about the history of Santiago Island, its relevance for the whalers, pirates and early researchers, including Darwin's epic voyage in 1835. Today the island is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms. See fantastic natural formations such as the Elephant Rock, The Bishop and an impressive natural cave. After lunch Once we disembark at the beach, we can enjoy a swim or snorkel amid a rocky shoreline, usually in the company of marine turtles. From here, we head off to our walk, a great opportunity to see land and marine birds amid landscape of tuff-stone layers and lava flows. At low tide, marine iguanas graze upon the algae beds and we can also observe a colony of fur-sea lions. Non-snorkelers can enjoy a longer walk.

Day 3: Rábida Island & Bartolomé Island

Today you disembark at Rabida Island on a red-coloured beach. Stroll along and see a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times greater flamingos migrate. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as the experienced. After lunch go ashore on Bartolome Island for a hike to the summit where the views are spectacular. Then enjoy a dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, seeing the penguins or ride in the glass-bottom boat.

Day 4: Prince Philip's Steps (Tower/Genovesa Island)

Today you disembark at Rabida Island on a red-coloured beach. Stroll along and see a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin's finches. Very close to the beach, hidden behind a strip of green saltbush, is a salt pond where at times greater flamingos migrate. This is a great place to snorkel from the beach, both for beginners as the experienced. After lunch go ashore on Bartolome Island for a hike to the summit where the views are spectacular. Then enjoy a dinghy ride around colossal Pinnacle Rock, seeing the penguins or ride in the glass-bottom boat.

Day 5: San Cristobel Island

Your final day of this remarkable cruise but still so much to see and do. After breakfast, you can visit the breeding programme of giant tortoises at Cerro Colorado and learn about his endangered species, and its promising recovery. This site is 45 minutes by bus, on the south shore of San Cristobal Island. Later return to the town and travel to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. This short but fascinating island hopping trip makes a great add on to any holiday in South America and will leave you with so many wonderful memories.